COLUMBIA, Mo. – [BOX SCORE] Junior guard Chris Buzzell scored a team-high 16 points to surpass 1,000 for his career in Missouri Baptist's 96-66 loss to Avila University Friday night in the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic.

The Spartans (3-2) struggled out of the gate in Buzzell's milestone game. Avila (7-1) jumped ahead 16-2 in the opening minutes and never trailed. Missouri Baptist's lone bucket in the first seven minutes came from Stephen Buckner.

Avila guard Sedrick Johnson scored two of his team-high 21 points with 7:30 left in the half to extend the Eagles lead to 31-12. Johnson entered into the game leading the NAIA in scoring with a 30.1 points per game average. However, the Spartans outscored Avila by nine the rest of the half to take a 45-35 deficit into the locker room. Buzzell led Missouri Baptist with nine points in the first half, all in the final seven minutes.

The junior from Houston, Texas entered into the game six points shy of 1,000 for his career. Buzzell hit that mark on a free throw with 5:45 left to cut the deficit to 33-20.

Turnovers were a major detriment to the Spartans in the second half. Avila forced Missouri Baptist to turn the ball over 19 times in the final 20 minutes to jump ahead by as many as 39 points. The Spartans committed a season-high 30 turnovers for the game and shot 36.8 percent from the field.

A 3-pointer from David Gabrovsek early in the second half brought the Spartans within nine points, but that's as close as they would get. Avila responded with a 35-5 run to lead 82-43 with 9:07 left.

The Eagles shot 51.4 percent overall from the field and had four players reach double figures, led by Johnson's 21. Nduka Ezeamii finished with 15 points.

Despite the struggles, Missouri Baptist out-rebounded Avila 41-37, including 12 offensive rebounds. John Caraballo led all players with 10 caroms. The Spartans also got to the free-throw line 14 more times than the Eagles.

Luke Call hit four 3-pointers and finished with 13 points, while David Gabrovsek had 12 on 5-of-8 shooting. The Spartans return to action tomorrow to take on Robert Morris University in the final day of the Thanksgiving Classic. Tip is set for 1:00 pm.